Capacitance type acceleration sensor

ABSTRACT

A capacitance acceleration sensor includes a movable electrode etched from a silicon plate which is clamped between two solid dielectric plate members of glass, silicon oxides, or oxygen oxides. Static electrodes are secured to surfaces of the dielectric members facing opposite the movable electrode, thereby providing easy manufacturing assessibility for leadout wires from these electrodes. In certain embodiments, the movable electrode is formed integrally with a monocrystalline silicon plate member which also contains an integrated circuit for generating an output acceleration signal in response to movement of the movable electrode when the assembly experiences acceleration forces.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a capacitance type acceleration sensor.Such capacitance type acceleration sensors can be mounted on a vehicleand serve to control vehicle systems in response to sensed accelerationconditions, such as a vehicle air-bag deployment system and a vehicledriving and braking system.

Various types of acceleration sensors have been proposed in the past,including pressure type sensors and strain gage type sensors.Capacitance type acceleration sensors of the type contemplated by thepresent invention exhibit excellent accuracy characteristics over widetemperature ranges.

Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,752 discloses a capacitance typeaccelerometer of the type the invention is directed toward improving.The contents of this U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,752 are incorporated herein byreference thereto for the purpose of showing the background of thepresent invention and the basic operating principals of capacitance typeacceleration sensors. Published Japanese patent application 1-253657also relates to a prior art capacitance type acceleration sensor.Reference is also made to a publication titled SemiconductorCapacitance - Type Accelerometer With PWM Electrostatic Servo Technique,presented at the SAE International Congress and Exposition, Detroit,Mich., Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 1991, printed as SAE Technical Paper Series910274, for a discussion of capacitance type acceleration sensors whichthe present invention is directed toward improving.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a circuit diagram for a conventionalcapacitance type acceleration sensor of the type referred to above, andFIG. 2 schematically depicts a prior art detecting unit or gage unit forthe FIG. 1 sensor system. Referring to FIG. 1, acceleration G isdetected with a detecting unit ("gage unit") 1, the signal being fed toan electronic circuit 2 for detecting electrostatic capacitance changes(ΔC), the output of which circuit 2 is further processed with a holdingcircuit 3 and an adjusting circuit 4 to obtain an output voltage V_(o)at terminal 13 which is directly proportional to the acceleration G.

The gage unit 1 has a movable electrode 5 serving as a weight interposedbetween upper and lower static electrodes 6 and 7, the movable electrode5 being supported at a bendable beam between the static electrodes 6 and7.

Since the static electrodes 6 and 7 and the movable electrode 5 arefacing each other in substantially planar relationship, there existselectrostatic capacitances C₁ and C₂ therebetween, the values of thesecapacitances C₁ and C₂ being fed to one of the terminals of an operationamplifier 10 of the ΔC detector unit 2.

When an acceleration G is applied to the gage unit 1, the movableelectrode 5 is moved by inertia due to the acceleration (upward ordownward as seen in the FIG. 1 illustration). Therefore, the distancebetween the movable electrode 5 and each of the electrodes 6 and 7 haschanged with consequent changes in the electrostatic capacitances C₁,C₂. The ΔC detector unit 2 operates so as to detect the differences C₁-C₂ (ΔC) using both generators 8, 9, a capacitor 11 for chargeintegration and a switch 12 for discharging. A voltage directlyproportional to ΔC is obtained from the amplifier 10 as an output. Sincethe voltage is not always kept constant over time due to the effect ofthe detecting operation described above, the holding circuit 3 isprovided to modulate the voltage and provide an analog voltage V_(o)directly proportional to the acceleration G. Since the present inventionis not directly related to the details of the operation of this circuit,further details of the operation of this ΔC detector unit 2 are notincluded herein, reference being made to the above noted prior artpublications, and other prior art disclosures readily available to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a prior art structure of a conventional gage unit 1 for usewith the system of FIG. 1, the FIG. 2 gage unit 1 being similar to theFIG. 25 embodiment of the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,572.Referring to FIG. 2, a movable electrode comprises a weight 5 whichserves as the movable electrode for detecting capacitance. The weight 5is supported by way of an integrally formed beam 14 and weight support20 (weight support portion 21 is also part of the weight supportconnected to the weight support 20 in front and back of the plane of theFIG. 2 illustration and not shown in this Figure). Weight support 20, 21is fixed to support members of glass plates 22 and 23 disposed at thetop and bottom thereof as shown in the illustration of FIG. 2.

A static electrode 6 is placed on the side of the glass plate 22 facingthe movable electrode 5 and is connected to an external electrode 16through a through hole 15 formed by boring a hole through the glassplate 22. The structure of the glass plate 23 at the lower side issimilar with a static electrode 7 placed on the side of the glass plate23 facing the movable electrode 5 which static electrode 7 is connectedto an external electrode 19 by way of a through hole 17 formed by boringa hole in the glass plate 23.

A problem with the prior art capacitance type acceleration sensordescribed above is that technical difficulties are encountered inprecisely forming the through holes in the glass plates for extendinglead wires out from the static electrodes and in attaching the leadwires. These difficulties have created significant problems in theproduction of sensors of this type.

An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitance typeacceleration sensor of the general type described above, but where theconnection of the lead wires to the static electrodes is greatlysimplified. Another object of the present invention is to provide acapacitance type acceleration sensor of the above-noted type, whereinthe detector circuit and the movable electrode are incorporated togetheras a single unit. A further object of the present invention is toprovide new and improved methods of manufacturing a capacitance typeacceleration sensor. These and other objects are achieved according tothe present invention by providing a capacitance type accelerationsensor comprising a movable electrode which is movable in response toacceleration, a first static electrode facing the movable electrode, anda first solid dielectric member disposed between the movable electricand the first static electrode. In this sensor arrangement, the soliddielectric member serves to position and support the static electrode,without requiring that a hole be drilled through the solid dielectricmember as is the case with prior art arrangements discussed above.

In especially preferred embodiments, the movable electrode is formed ona silicon plate member which is supported between plates or sheets whichform first and second solid dielectric members that also supportrespective static electrodes on their respective sides facing away fromthe movable electrode. In this manner, the silicon plate member servingas the movable electrode is reliably supported in position between thesolid dielectric members and the static electrodes are reliablyconnected to the solid dielectric members.

In especially preferred embodiments, the above-mentioned object ofachieving a simpler construction with the unitary movable plate memberand detector circuit, the capacitance type acceleration sensor comprisesa unitary monocrystalline plate member with a movable cantilever plateportion forming a movable electrode which is movable in response toacceleration, a first static electrode facing the movable electrode, andan integrated circuit in said unitary plate member for forming an analogsignal reflecting acceleration forces based on changes in capacitancebetween the movable cantilever plate portion and the first staticelectrode.

The preferred methods of making the capacitance of the accelerationsensor utilize the unique configuration with the static electrodesmounted on sides of the dielectric support members facing away from themovable electrode. Also, with unitary monocrystalline plate membersforming the movable electrode and containing the integrated circuit forprocessing changes in capacitance caused by acceleration inducedmovement of the movable electrode to generate output signalscorrespondingly to acceleration of a vehicle carrying the sensor.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a prior art capacitance typeacceleration sensor system;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view depicting a gage unit for the sensor of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of an accelerationsensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view depicting the cantilever arm arrangementfor the beams supporting the movable electrode of the embodiment of FIG.3;

FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting the electrical equivalent circuit of thegage unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of anacceleration sensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of an accelerationsensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of anacceleration sensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of an accelerationsensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of an accelerationsensor gage unit constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment according to the present invention will be describedbelow, referring to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the elements having the sameconstructions as in the prior art FIGS. 1 and 2 drawings described aboveare identified by the same numerals. Although the movable electrode unitin FIG. 3 is constructed with a movable electrode 5, a beam 14, a weightsupporting portion 20 and a weight supporting portion 21, the staticelectrodes are composed of only the members indicated by the numerals 24and 25 without the members indicated by the numerals 6, 7, 15, 16 inFIG. 2. With this construction, the traditional detection ofelectrostatic capacitance can be performed, and the variation in theelectrostatic capacitance between the weight 5 of the movable electrodeportion and the static electrode 24 (or 25) can certainly be detected.

FIG. 3A is a top view schematically depicting the double cantilever armarrangement for the beams 14 supporting the movable electrode 5. Themovable electrode 5, cantilever support beams 14 and weight supportingportions 20 and 21 are all formed from a single silicon plate. Thelength of the cantilever arms 14 as compared to the length of themovable electrode 5 is such that the movable electrode 5 moves insubstantially planar relationship with respect to the static electrodes24 and 25. In certain contemplated preferred embodiments, the effectivelever arm of the cantilevers 14 is about 2000 μm (micrometers) and thegap between the movable electrode 5 and the dielectric support plates 22or 23 is about 4 μm, and the thickness of the dielectric plates 22 and23 is about 400 μm.

In especially preferred embodiments, the dielectric plates 22 and 23 aremade of one of the materials including glass, silicon dioxide andsilicon nitride. For certain applications, the silicone oxide andsilicon nitride material is preferred since sodium in glass can causesome deterioration in the operation. In preferred embodiments, theelectrodes 24 and 25 are made of aluminum sheets bonded to thedielectric plates.

By placing the dielectric plates 22, 23 between the movable electrodeand the static electrodes 24, 25, the sensitivity efficiency of thecapacitance gage unit is substantially reduced as compared with theprior art arrangement described above with respect to FIG. 1. However,the present inventors have discovered that, in spite of this substantialreduction in capacitance detection efficiency due to the more remotelocation of the fixed electrodes, the arrangement of the presentinvention with the dielectric material between the movable electrode andthe fixed electrodes sufficiently enhances the production techniques,especially regarding the reliability and simplicity of connecting thefixed electrodes to the remaining circuit system, while still providingsufficient capacitance change detection facility as to provide asubstantially improved acceleration sensor.

The equivalent circuit for the electrostatic capacitance in thestructure shown in FIG. 1 can be expressed as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG.4, lead wires 24A and 25A are connected respectively to the staticelectrodes 24 and 25. The symbol d₁ is the thickness of the glass plate,the symbol d_(o) being the initial distance of the gap between theweight 5 and the glass plate 22 (23), the symbol x being thedisplacement in the distance of the gap due to applying an acceleration,the symbol ε_(o) being the dielectric constant of vacuum, the symbol ε₁being the dielectric constant of the glass. Using these values, theelectrostatic capacitance C₁ between the equivalent external electrode24 and the weight 5 is expressed as follows:

    C.sub.1 =ε.sub.o S/[{d.sub.o +(ε.sub.o /ε.sub.1)d.sub.1 }-]                              (Equation 1)

The symbol S is the effective area of the electrostatic capacitance inthe weight portion serving as the movable electrode against theelectrode 24. It can be understood from the above equation that when adisplacement in gap x takes place due to applying an acceleration, theelectrostatic capacitance C₁ varies and the acceleration, therefore, canbe obtained by measuring the magnitude of C₁.

On the lower electrode, a similar phenomenon occurs (the gapdisplacement is opposite), and the capacitance C₂ can be expressed asfollows:

    C.sub.2 =ε.sub.o S/[{d.sub.o +(ε.sub.o /ε.sub.1)d.sub.1 }+x]                             (Equation 2) (Equation 2)

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. Inthis case, additional electric conductive portions 26, 27 are providedin connection with the weight portion 5. By doing so, the dielectricflux determining the electrostatic capacitances C₁ and C₂ is focused onthe static electrodes 24 and 25. In other words, the members 26 and 27have an electrode function of focusing dielectric flux. Consequently,the detecting accuracy can be improved. Otherwise, the embodiment ofFIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 with the fixed electrodes 24 and 25supported on dielectric Plates 22 and 23.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment according to the present invention. Inthis embodiment a part 28 (29) of the static electrode 24 (25) is soconstructed as to be varied in its thickness (protruded) toward theglass 22 (23) side corresponding to the movable electrode 5. In thiscase, since the distance between the electrodes is shortened, theelectrostatic capacitance C₁ (C₂) is hardly affected by the glass andthe accuracy can be improved. Further, since machining of the glassplate is comparatively easy, the production cost of the sensor can bedecreased.

FIG. 7 shows a still further embodiment according to the presentinvention. The figure shows the method for leading out wires from threeelectrodes (one movable electrode, two static electrodes) and the methodfor electric connection including the structure. The wire for the upperstatic electrode is led out from the portion 24, an electric conductivemember 32 being attached to the bottom surface of the lower staticelectrode 25 (it is easy to fabricate the electric conductive membersimilar to fabrication of an electric conductive member of ceramicsubstrate used for hybrid IC or the like), the wire being led out fromthe portion 32A. Further an indenting portion 30 is formed in the glassplate 22 for the static portion 21 of the movable electrode, aconductive member 31 being passed through the indenting portion toutilize as an electrode. This embodiment has an advantage in that it iseasy to connect to a circuit.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment according to the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a gage 1 and an IC chip 2 containing a ΔC detector, aholding circuit, an adjusting circuit and so on are sealed in a canpackage 33, an output signal being put out as an output V_(o) of thesensor through a terminal 34. The gage 1 has a three layer structure,each of the layers being connected in circuit bases to the chip 2 with aconnecting wire. Since in the embodiment the gage and the IC aresurrounded with the metallic can, the sensor is hardly affected withelectromagnetic interference from the external of the package.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment according to the present invention. Inthis embodiment, a gage and an IC circuit are formed on a single siliconsubstrate 40. The IC circuit 41 is formed and integrated on thesubstrate 40. The fabrication can be performed with a semiconductorfabrication process for common IC. The static electrodes 23, 24 areconnected to an IC circuit 41 by using lead wires 42, 25A.

In this embodiment of FIG. 9, since the length of lead wires forconnection can be shortened comparing to the embodiments describedabove, the accuracy in detecting capacitance can be improved. Further,since the IC circuit and the static electrodes 23, 24 are placed closeto each other, leak capacitance between both electrodes is decreased andthe sensor is hardly affected by external factors such as (temperatureand humidity, electro-magnetic interference, effect of externalequipments and so on). Especially, since the lead wires 42, 25A areshorted and the static electrode surface has an effectiveelectro-magnetic shielding function, there is a large effect againstelectro-magnetic interference and electric induction.

According to the present invention, it becomes easy to lead out from thestatic electrodes, the reliability of the sensor can be increased andthe fabrication process can be simplified.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, itis to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration andexample, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit andscope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A capacitance acceleration sensor comprising:a movable electrode which is movable in response to acceleration, a first static electrode facing the movable electrode; and a first solid dielectric member disposed between the movable electrode and the first static electrode.
 2. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 1, wherein said movable electrode is formed on a monocrystalline plate member.
 3. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 2, wherein said monocrystalline plate member is a silicon plate member.
 4. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 3, wherein said first solid dielectric member is a glass plate.
 5. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 3, wherein said first solid dielectric member is a plate made of silicon dioxide.
 6. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 5, comprising a second static electrode spaced from the first static electrode, wherein said movable electrode is a cantilever member disposed between and in facing relationship to the first and second static electrodes, and wherein a second solid dielectric member is disposed between the movable electrode and the second static electrode.
 7. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 6, wherein said movable electrode is formed on a monocrystalline plate member.
 8. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 7, wherein said monocrystalline plate member is a silicon plate member.
 9. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 7, wherein said first solid dielectric member is a glass plate.
 10. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 7, wherein said first solid dielectric member is a plate made of silicon dioxide.
 11. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 2, wherein said monocrystalline plate member includes a pair of elastically flexible cantilever arms connecting the movable electrode to relatively rigid support portions of the monocrystalline plate member.
 12. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 6, wherein said monocrystalline plate member includes a pair of elastically flexible cantilever arms connecting the movable electrode to relatively rigid support portions of the monocrystalline plate member.
 13. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 12, wherein said first and second solid dielectric members are plate members which abuttingly engage the monocrystalline plate member support portions therebetween.
 14. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 13, wherein first and second static electrodes are metal electrodes supported on the respective solid dielectric members.
 15. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive layer on a side of the first dielectric member opposite the first static electrode, said conductive layer facing the movable electrode and serving to enhance the capacitance change signals of the sensor.
 16. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 6, further comprising respective electrically conductive layers on sides of the first and second dielectric members opposite the respective first and second static electrodes, said conductive layers serving to enhance capacitance change signals of the sensor.
 17. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 13, further comprising respective electrically conductive layers on sides of the first and second dielectric members opposite the respective first and second static electrodes, said conductive layers serving to enhance capacitance change signals of the sensor.
 18. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 6, wherein said first and second solid dielectric members are formed with thick support sections connected by a thinner section facing the movable electrode.
 19. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 1, wherein said movable electrode is formed on a monocrystalline plate member which contains an integrated circuit for generating electrical output signals representative of acceleration induced movement of the movable electrode.
 20. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 6, wherein said movable electrode is formed on a monocrystalline plate member which contains an integrated circuit for generating electrical output signals representative of acceleration induced movement of the movable electrode.
 21. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 20, wherein said movable electrode is formed by etching the monocrystalline plate from both sides thereof.
 22. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 21, wherein said monocrystalline plate member is a silicon plate member.
 23. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 1, comprising a second static electrode spaced from the first static electrode, wherein said movable electrode is a cantilever member disposed between and in facing relationship to the first and second static electrodes, and wherein a second solid dielectric member is disposed between the movable electrode and the second static electrode.
 24. A capacitance acceleration sensor according to claim 1,wherein said movable electrode is movable in response to acceleration and is formed by a movable plate portion of a monocrystalline plate member, further comprising an integrated circuit in said monocrystalline plate member for forming an analog signal reflecting acceleration forces based on changes in capacitance between the movable cantilever plate portion and the first static electrode. 